Cap for Drinking Container

ABSTRACT

A container cap is adapted for use with a drinking container. The container cap has a container portion having an interior that holds a material for mixing with the liquid in the drinking container, a first connector fluidly communicating with the interior of the container portion and removably coupled to the open mouth of the drinking container, a second connector fluidly communicating with the interior of the container portion, a cap removably coupled to the second connector, and a commercial message provided on the container portion

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of beverages, and more specifically, to beverages contained in bottles with removal caps. The present invention provides a container cap that can be retrofittedly placed upon the bottle after removing its original cap, in a manner that dispenses materials into the bottle. Commercial or other written indicia are carried on the external surfaces of the container cap.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The beverage world today is largely possessed by bottled water contained in plastic bottles having virtually identical removable caps. Such caps are removed by twistable action, leaving a band or collar behind as the cap is removed, while simultaneously providing access for drinking to the top of the bottle. Beverages also comprise pre-mixed drinks with a plurality of different designs, requiring, among other things, refrigeration, dates of expiration and other indicators related to the shelf-life of the beverage.

Also well known in the art are water-soluble drink mixes that are sold in solid form. The consumer measures quantities of the dry material, adds the quantities in the proper ratio to water, and creates a flavored beverage. In these embodiments, the consumer is required to modulate the quantities, and mistakes result in under- or over-flavored mixtures.

In addition, it is important to maintain freshness of fluid-based products. This is particularly important when the material to be dispensed is vitamin-based, since it is known that water-miscible vitamins can lose their potency over time when in a fluid environment, through changes in temperature, pressure, and light. In addition, fluid-based products can interact with plastic bottles, causing an unpleasant taste and compromising the health of the user. Glass bottles are thereby required for some applications, which are more expensive and much heavier.

To address these concerns, efforts have been made to provide a universal cap design that contains dry or concentrated materials (e.g., vitamins, drink mixes and other flavors), such that the cap can be used with any number of fluid containers without the need for modifying the existing, standard, plastic bottle design. In other words, once the pre-existing cap for the bottle is removed, the new cap, containing the materials, can be retrofittedly installed on the top of the bottle, dispensing the materials into the fluid. The bottle can be shaken and the completed beverage created moments before consumption.

Many of these cap designs are embodied in the form of a simple container that holds the material to be dispensed. The contents of the container cap are often not identified, and the user often has no way of knowing if the materials contained in the particular container cap are intended for his/her consumption, or for someone else's consumption.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a universal, single-use cap containing materials for attachment to pre-existing fluid containers to permit dispensation of materials thereby maintaining the freshness of the beverage.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a universal single-use cap that provides a commercial message or indicia on, or associated with, the cap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To accomplish the above objectives, the present invention provides a container cap that is adapted for use with a drinking container, the container cap having a container portion having an interior that holds a material for mixing with the liquid in the drinking container, a first connector fluidly communicating with the interior of the container portion and removably coupled to the open mouth of the drinking container, a second connector fluidly communicating with the interior of the container portion, a cap removably coupled to the second connector, and a commercial message provided on the container portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a container cap according to one embodiment of the present invention in use with a conventional water bottle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container cap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view showing a container cap according to another embodiment of the present invention in use with a conventional water bottle.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the container cap of FIG. 3A shown in use with a conventional water bottle.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a container cap according to yet another embodiment of the present invention in use with a conventional water bottle.

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view showing a container cap according to yet a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B illustrates the paper support of the container cap of FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 6-12 illustrate other embodiments of container caps according to the present invention.

FIG. 13A is an exploded perspective view showing a container cap according to another embodiment of the present invention in use with a conventional water bottle.

FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the container cap of FIG. 13A shown in use with a conventional water bottle.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a container cap according to yet a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a container cap according to another embodiment of the present invention in use with a conventional glass beer bottle.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are exploded perspective views showing a container cap according to another embodiment of the present invention in use with a conventional beer can.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate other embodiments of container caps according to the present invention that can be used with a conventional beer can.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate other embodiments of container caps according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a container cap 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The container cap 20 can be a plastic container having a container portion 22 that holds a material. The material can be a vitamin, supplement, medication, flavoring, fruit or other concentrate, tea, coffee, energy ingredient, powdered milk, or alcohol, and can be provided in liquid, powder, dissolvable tablet or capsule, real fruit (e.g., slice of lemon, or berry) or any similar form that allows for the material to be quickly and conveniently emptied from the container portion 22 to be mixed or dissolved. The container cap 20 further includes a bottom connector 24 and a top connector 26. The bottom connector 24 is provided in the form of a female connector, in this case with inner threads 28 that are adapted to threadably engage the outer threads 30 on the neck 32 of a conventional water bottle 34. The top connector 26 is provided in the form of a male connector, in this case with outer threads 36 that are adapted to threadably engage the inner threads 38 of a cap 40. The cap 40 can be embodied in the form of a conventional water bottle cap. A peel-off seal 42 can be provided at the mouth of the bottom connector 24 to prevent the material inside the container portion 22 from escaping.

It is also possible to provide a conventional filter or water purifiying element inside the container portion 22. The filter can function to filter the water from the water bottle 34, and the purifying element can function to purify the water from the water bottle 34. This allows the water bottle 34 to be re-used with different sources of water, even water (e.g., tap water) that may need to be purified and/or filtered before being drinkable. A container cap 20 that contains such a filter and/or purifying element can even be useful for soldiers who often need to refill their drinking containers with non-filtered and non-purified water. A soldier can then carry such a container cap 20 for use in purifying and filtering any water that the soldier might find in a battle environment.

In use, the user can remove the conventional cap of a water bottle 34 that contains clear water or other beverage, then remove the seal 42, and empty the material 44 (see FIG. 3) from the container portion 22 through the open mouth of the neck 32 into the bottle 34 to allow the material 44 to mix with the liquid inside the bottle 34. The user can then screw the bottom connector 24 onto the neck 32, unscrew (open) the cap 40, and then drink the liquid contents of the bottle 34 through the open mouth of the top connector 26. The liquid contents would flow from the bottle 34, through the container portion 22, and then out via the top connector 26.

The present invention provides a commercial message 50 on the outer surfaces of the container portion 22. The commercial message 50 can be a representation or description of the material contained in the container cap 20, or it can be an advertisement message for another product or service or entity. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate three different examples of commercial messages 50.

In addition to a commercial message 50, other identification codes 52 (e.g., bar codes, SKUs), or even the name 54 of the user can also be provided on the outer surfaces of the container portion 22. For example, a blank space 56 can be provided on part of the commercial message 50 where a user can write or otherwise inscribe his/her name, or write or inscribe an identification of the material 44 contained therein (e.g., “vitamins”, “fish oil”, “diabetes medication”). In this regard, the container cap 20 can be a re-useable container cap 20 which the user can use to hold vitamins, medication, flavoring, etc. In addition, the message 50 can be provided on a removable sheet 86 (see FIG. 8) so that the sheet 86 can be replaced by other sheets, such as when a different name or identification (e.g., medication) is to be attached to the container cap 20.

The commercial message 50 does not need to be placed directly on the outer surface of the container portion 22. For example, in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a cardboard or paper support 60 can be used to display the message 50. The support 60 can be comprised of four sides 62, 64, 66, 68 and a top side 70, with an opening 72 provided in the top side 70. The top connector 26 of the container cap 20 can be inserted through the opening 72, with the top side 70 seated on the container portion 22 to be supported on the container cap 20.

As another example, FIG. 4 shows a cardboard or paper support 74 that is comprised of two sides 76, 78 that have opposing ends connected to each other to form a generally elliptical shape, and with an opening (not shown) in a top side (not shown) through which the top connector 26 of the container cap 20 can be inserted.

As a further example, FIGS. 5A and 5B show a laminated paper support 80 which is laminated or glued directly onto the outer surface of a circular container cap 20. The support 80 has end portions 82 and 84 that extend beyond the central portion of the support 80. Messages 50 can be provided on these end portions 82, 84, thereby providing more visibility or exposure for the message 50 because these end portions 82, 84 extend beyond the body of the container cap 20.

Although FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the container cap 20 as being made from a conventional plastic material, it is also possible to embody the container cap 20 in the form of other structures. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates the container portion 22 a of a container cap 20 a embodied in the form of a pouch, with a bottom connector 24 a and a top connector 26 a that are the same as the bottom connector 24 and top connector 26 described above. The cap 40 a can be embodied in the form of a conventional water bottle cap, and a peel-off seal 42 a can be provided at the mouth of the bottom connector 24 to prevent the material inside the container portion 22 a from escaping. The pouch can be made from a soft and flexible material similar to those used for the pouch-like beverages (e.g., children's drinks) that are available in the market today.

FIG. 7 illustrates the container portion 22 c made from a paper-like material similar to the material used for milk cartons. The container portion 22 c can be a six-sided container comprising five sides 110, 112 (and two opposing sides and another side, all not shown in FIG. 7), and a sixth side comprised of a plurality of flaps 114, 116 that can be folded to create the sixth side. The bottom connector 24 c, the top connector 26 c, the cap 40 c, and the seal 42 c can be the same as the bottom connector 24, top connector 26, cap 40 and seal 42, respectively, described above.

The configuration of the container cap 20 can be varied as well. For example, FIG. 8 shows a container cap 20 b where the container portion 22 b is configured as a stepped circular container having two steps 92 and 94 that transition from one circular section to another circular section. The bottom connector 24 b can be the same as the bottom connector 24 described above, but a pivoting drinking lid 96 can be provided at the top instead of a combined top connector 26 and cap 40. The pivoting drinking lid 96 can be pivotably coupled to an edge of the top surface 100 of the container portion 22 b, with a raised drinking hole 98 provided in the top surface 100. A stem 102 protruding from the center of the bottom surface of the drinking lid 96 is adapted to be inserted into the hole 98. As described above, the message 50 can be provided on a removable layer of material or sheet 86 that can be attached to the surface of the container portion 22 b by glue, heat shrink, stickers, or similar mechanisms.

Referring to FIG. 9, the container cap 20 d can be configured like a figure having arms, with the message 50 d extending from the plane or surface of the container portion 22 d. The message 50 d can be molded as part of the container portion 22 d, and extended outwardly to accentuate or highlight the contents of the message 50 d. The bottom connector 24 d, the top connector 26 d and the cap 40 d can be the same as the bottom connector 24, top connector 26 and cap 40, respectively, described above. As shown in FIG. 9, additional messages 50 can be provided on the surface of the container portion 22 d.

By providing the container cap 20 in different configurations, it is also possible to provide the container cap 20 in the form of a toy or amusement item. For example, FIG. 10 shows the container cap 20 e having its container portion 22 e configured as a toy truck which would itself be a commercial message, or would have a commercial message 50 e carried thereon. The bottom connector 24 e, the top connector 26 e and the cap 40 e can be the same as the bottom connector 24, top connector 26 and cap 40, respectively, described above.

Extending this concept further, FIG. 11 shows the container cap 20 f having its container portion 22 f configured as the body of a robot, with a commercial message 50 f carried thereon. A plurality of detachable moving ligatures 130 can be pivotably coupled to the body (i.e., the container portion 22 f) of the robot. The bottom connector 24 f and the top connector 26 f can be the same as the bottom connector 24 and top connector 26, respectively, described above.

The toy or amusement item can be separate from the container cap 20 and be removable therefrom. For example, FIG. 12 shows a container cap 20 g which can be the same as the container cap 20 described above, and a separate toy 120 that can be removably and threadably coupled to screws 122 provided on the outer surface of the container portion 22 g. The toy 120 can be a miniature skateboard with a threaded opening 124 at the center of its board. Commercial messages 50 g can be provided on the skateboard, and/or on the outer surface of the container portion 22 g.

The separate sheet 86 from FIG. 8 can be extended to cover more than the container cap 20, including portions of the water bottle 34. For example, FIGS. 13A and 13B show a sheet 86 h that contains a commercial message 50 h, with the sheet 86 h being long enough to extend past the container cap 20 b. The user can peel off the sheet 86 h from a backing (not shown) and apply the sheet 86 h to the container cap 20 b and the shoulder portion of the water bottle 34 after the container cap 20 b has been secured to the neck 32 of the water bottle 34. As shown in FIG. 13B, the container cap 20 b would not be visible and the user can drink from the water bottle 34 via the container cap 20 b.

Electronic features can even be incorporated into the container cap 20. FIG. 14 shows the container cap 20 of FIG. 1 being modified to include an external panel 140 that carries a speaker 142, an on/off switch 144, and a lighted message 150. Circuitry 146 can be provided on the housing of the container portion 22, and a power slot 148 can be provided on the housing of the container portion 22 to receive a battery 152 that is coupled to the circuitry 146 to power the speaker 142 and the lighted message 150. The user can turn on the speaker 142 and the lighted message 150 by turning on the switch 144. The message can be illuminated by a flashing or constant light, and the speaker 142 can emit an accompanying verbal or musical message.

The container cap 20 of the present invention is not limited to use with conventional water bottles. As shown in FIG. 15, the container cap 20 k can be adapted to be secured to the open mouth 162 of a conventional glass beer bottle 160. In this embodiment, the bottom connector 24 k can be modified to allow it to be securely screwed on to the mouth 162. For example, the bottom connector 24 k can be cylindrical in nature with an annular band 166 provided along its outer surface. The connector 24 k can be inserted into the open mouth 162 of the bottle 160 until the band 166 abuts the mouth 162, thereby securing the container cap 20 k at the mouth 162.

Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the container cap 20 can be adapted to be secured to the top of a conventional aluminum beer can 170. In this embodiment, the container portion 22 j can have a bottom wall 176 that has a spout 172 from the bottom wall 176, with the spout 172 having a bottom opening 174. A flared annular wall 175 extends from the container portion 22 j at the location of the bottom wall 176, having a radius at its bottom edge 173 that is greater than the radius of the bottom wall 176. The flared annular wall 175 is sized and configured to be placed about the flanged annular upper edge 177 of a conventional beer can 170, and can be twisted to secure the flared annular wall 175 to the upper edge 177. A seal 42 j can seal the bottom of the flared annular wall 175. In use, the user can remove the seal 42 j, push the spout 172 through the opening 178 at the top wall 180 of the beer can 170, and secure the flared annular wall 175 to the upper edge 177. A message 50 j can be provided on the outer surface of the container portion 22 j.

It should be noted that the concepts shown in any of the drawings in this disclosure can be applied to any of the embodiments shown and described herein. For example, FIG. 17 shows the concepts of FIGS. 9, 16A and 16B applied to a conventional beer can, and FIG. 18 shows the concepts of FIGS. 6, 16A and 16B applied to a conventional beer can.

In addition, there are many ways to dissolve, mix or otherwise release the material 44 inside the container cap 20 to the liquid in the water bottle 34, beer can 170, or beer bottle 160. The present invention describes the use of a seal 42 that can be removed to release the material 44, but other techniques can be used with the present invention as well. For example, the material 44 can be retained inside the container portion 22 intermixed with the liquid as the liquid passes from the water bottle 34 through the container portion 22. As another example, mechanisms can be provided inside the container cap 20 that break a seal to release the material 44 directly into the water bottle 34 when the user screws or otherwise engages the container cap 20 to the neck 32 of the water bottle 34. Examples of these techniques and mechanisms are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,782 (Yorita), U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,109 (Schoo et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,497 (Dvorak et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,279,187 (Daniels et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,684 (Anderson), U.S. Pat. No. 3,156,369 (Bowes et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,095 (Marshall), U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,112 (Balazik) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,254 (Spector), among others, whose disclosures are incorporated by this reference as though set forth fully herein.

FIG. 19 shows additional modifications that can be made to the container cap 20 of FIG. 1. The container cap 20 m in FIG. 19 can be the same as the container cap 20 in FIG. 1, except that a third connector 25 m is provided in a side of the container body 22 m. The connectors 24 m and 26 m can be the same as the connectors 24 and 26, respectively, and the cap 40 m and flap 42 m can be the same the cap 40 and flap 42, respectively. The provision of the third connector 25 m allows the user with the option to add an additional material to the material mix inside the container portion 22 m. Specifically, a separate container portion 23 m containing the separate material can be provided, has a connector 27 m that can be removably connected to the connector 25 m to allow the material from the container portion 23 m to mix with the material in the container portion 22 m.

FIG. 20 illustrates a container cap 20 n that can be same as the container cap 20 m shown in FIG. 19, so the same elements are provided with the same numeral designations except that an “n” is used in FIG. 20 instead of an “m”. In the container cap 20 n, a fourth connector 29 n is provided in a side wall of the container portion 22 n, and can be used to introduce yet another different material (as described below in connection with FIG. 19 for the connector 25 m), or it can be used to receive a straw 31 n or other drinking mechanism so that the user can actually secure the cap 40 n to the top connector 26 n, and drink through the fourth connector 29 n.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. 

1-18. (canceled)
 19. An assembly, comprising: a drinking container having an open mouth, the drinking container holding a liquid; and a container cap that is separable from the drinking container, comprising: a container portion having an interior that holds a material for mixing with the liquid; a first connector fluidly communicating with the interior of the container portion in a manner which defines an unimpeded fluid path between the container portion and the drinking container when the first connector connects the container cap to the drinking container, the first connector being removably connecting the container portion to the open mouth of the drinking container; a second connector fluidly communicating with the interior of the container portion; a cap removably coupled to the second connector; and wherein the container portion includes an amusement feature.
 20. The assembly of claim 19, further including means for releasing the material from the container portion.
 21. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the container portion is a solid plastic container.
 22. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the container portion is embodied as a toy.
 23. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the container portion includes an electronic component. 